The Iowa Western men's golf team hosted the 2023 Bent Tree Intercollegiate Showcase on September 25th and 26th. Iowa Western's 'A' team finished second place in the team standings, and the Reivers 'B' team ended the tournament in fourth place. Three Reivers garnered top five individual medaling performances. Nick Slobbe (3rd place), Henry Kosmicki (4th place), and Shoma Taguchi (5th place).
Monday, September 25th featured 36-Holes of competition (Rounds 1 & 2). It was the Iowa Western 'B' team that got off to a hot start closing round one tied for second place after posting a team score of 296. They were led by Kosmicki who fired a season low two under par round of 70. The 'A' team struggled to find their footing in the first round and ended up in fifth place after posting a team score of 304. The 'A' squad was led by Slobbe and Taguchi. Slobbe turned in a one over par 73, with Taguchi just one stroke behind him at two over par 74.
Iowa Western's 'A' team battled back during the second 18 holes of the day, and at one point were seven under par as a team before ultimately posting a 290-team score which moved them up to fourth place. They were led by a three under par (69) performance from Taguchi, and Slobbe turned in an even par (72). The 'B' team posted another steady round at 297 to stay tied for second place in the team standings. Highlighted by another impressive three under par round (69) from Kosmicki to earn him another season low round.
Tuesday, September 26th was the final 18-Holes of the event. Iowa Western 'A' saw steady play from many of the Reivers, until some untimely bogeys nearing the end of play. The 'A' team closed with a team score of 293 for the final round, which was good enough to vault them up two spots and eventually finish second place overall in the tournament. They were again led by Slobbe and Taguchi. Slobbe fired a two under par final round (70), Taguchi closed with a one over par (73). Iowa Western 'B' struggled to find the rhythm they had on day one and closed with a team score of 303, to eventually fall to fourth place overall.
"We had some great individual performances over the course of our two-day event. I was pleased with the steady play of a few of our guys. I was excited to see some of our younger guys competing as individuals having some success out there. We have a chance to be pretty good, we've just got to continue maturing as golfers. Our knowledge of the game, understanding hole locations, undulations on greens, and where are the best spots to leave ourselves to increase our opportunities to score well", said Iowa Western Assistant Golf Coach Ryan Norman.
Nebraska Wesleyan University won the event with a three-round total of 880. Iowa Western's 'A' team was second with a three round total of 887.
The Reivers are back in action October 16th and 17th at the Southwestern Premier hosted by Southwestern Community College. The event will be played at Lake Panorama Golf Club in Panora, IA.
